Emirati Opera singer Sara Al Qaiwani performs at Abu Dhabi Festival 2011

posted on 24/03/2011: 101 views

In a dazzling blend of Western and traditional Emirati culture, the Ensemble ACJW from The Academy - a programme of Carnegie Hall, The Julliard School and the Weill Music Institute in partnership with the New York City Department of Education, performed live with young Emirati opera singer, Sara Al Qaiwani, at the debut of the spectacular Zaha Hadid Pavilion.

Sara's voice illuminated the futuristic music chamber as she performed Schubert's classic Shepherd on the Rock alongside clarinettist Carol McGonnell and pianist Angelina Gadeliya. The Academy also played Mozart's Kegelstatt Trio, Ravel's Sonata for Violin and Cello, and Schumann's Piano Quartet in E-flat Major with Meena M. Bhasin on viola, Nicholas Canellakis on cello, and Joanna Frankel on violin.

Sara is the first and, to this day, the only female Emirati national soprano opera singer. She was part of the Morely Opera from 2006-2008, singing the roles of Despina in Mozart's Cosi Fan Tutti, Zerlina in Mozart's Don Giovanni, Pamina in Mozart's The Magic Flute, Nanetta in Verdi's Falstaff, Musetta in Puccini's La Boh me and Sophie in Massenet's Werther, after which she received many accolades and offers from competing opera companies within the UK to perform the same.

The Zaha Hadid Pavilion is described as the perfect union of sound and space. The remarkable chamber music hall was designed by the Iraqi-born architect and Pritzker prize-winner, Zaha Hadid who was recently voted one of the World's Top 100 Women. The Pavilion is a touring venue. Whilst in Abu Dhabi it will showcase dynamic cross-cultural projects under the theme Arab Creativity in the Architecture of the Future and will feature performances celebrating Arabic cultural and artistic influences that reinforce the Festival's commitment to preserving the cultural heritage of the region.

This unique pavilion situated on the Emirates Palace Lawns will also present some of the Arab world's most-exciting performers and artists, including Rachid Kora chi, Macadi Nahhas, Soumaya Baalbaki, Oussama Rahbani and Dutch virtuoso cellist, Jean-Guihen Queyras. - Emirates News Agency, WAM

RELATED ARTICLES

02 April 2012	Arts lovers welcome plan for new Dubai Opera House
22 March 2012	Sheikh Mohammed announces Dubai Modern Art Museum and Opera House District in Dubai
20 March 2012	Emirati students awarded at Abu Dhabi Festival
02 January 2012	Fujairah gears up for international drama festival
04 October 2011	Emerging Emirati theatre artists showcase talent

blog comments powered by Disqus